Ergonomics
An eBook Resource—Not a Course for Credit
Introduction to Ergonomics
Fast Facts

Why have an ergonomics program?

Protects workers

Improves productivity

Saves money
Average Cost per CTD Claim Before & After Ergonomic
Program Implementation
Before
In a report to Congress, the
General Accounting Office
presented case studies in which
costs associated with cumulative
trauma disorders (CTD’s) were
dramatically reduced when
ergonomics programs were
instituted
After
American
Express
AMP
Navistar
Sisters of
Charity
Texas
Instruments
Repetitive Stress Injury


What are the risk factors?

Repetitive exertions

Posture stresses

Contact stresses

Static exertions

Forceful exertions
Areas likely to
experience and RSI
Generally:

Pain indicates damage to muscles, tendons, or ligaments

Numbness, tingling and loss of strength and/or coordination may indicate nerve damage

Cold hands may indicate nerve and/or circulatory problems
Repetitive Stress Injuries

Five main categories:


Muscle

May occur from chronic overuse or use of muscle groups not frequently used

With rest symptoms resolve in a day or two
Tendon


Ligament


Connect bone to bone-such as vertebrae- and can be damaged if improper lifting technique is used or
other back problems occur
Circulatory


With overuse the tendon and sheath may become damaged and not operate properly-wont “glide” as
smoothly
Can be impaired by vibration, repetitive motion, awkward postures, low temperatures, etc.
Nerve

Often occurs due to compression such as elbows resting on hard surfaces or sleeping on your arms
Repetitive Exertions

In itself, repetition is not very risky, but when combined with other risk
factors such as high force and poor posture, repetition takes on increased
significance

Includes activities such as:

Assembly line work

Typing

Manual materials handling

Laboratory procedures

Etc.
Repeating motions such as
typing for assembly work
without breaks can quickly lead
to repetitive stress injuries
Posture Stresses

If you experience posture stresses, habit modification and new equipment
are things to consider

Includes things like:

Awkward wrist bending

Stooping

Holding the phone between shoulder and ear

Etc.
Contact Stresses

Typically involves upper extremities and a hard surface


Example: Typing or “mousing” on a square edge table-the underside of the arm is at risk of
a compression injury where the arm makes contact with the “sharp” edge of the desk
Consider purchasing wrist rests for your keyboard and mouse-pad
Static Exertions

A reduction in blood flow can take a toll on our soft tissues

Examples: standing for long periods of time may cause pooling of blood in the legs, while keying a
typist may find some muscles in the forearm that experience constant loading (contraction), etc.


Be sure to take breaks and move or stretch all of
your muscles to get blood flow moving faster
Vibration and cold weather can also impede
circulation and lead to or worsen RSI’s

Consider taking breaks when using things like
pneumatic tools and wear warm clothing if you work in a cooler environment
Forceful Exertions

The repetitive stress injury due to force increases as other risk factors
come into play

RSI’s typically take months or years to develop and months or years to
resolve


When moving heavy objects-especially with poor physical conditioning and improper
technique- tissue damage can occur immediately
If an object is too heavy or
awkward to carry, ask for help!
Risking the injury is not worth it
It’s important
to plan out
high-demand tasks and to make gradual increases
in strength training routines
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Often caused by the compression of the median nerve within the carpal
tunnel

Symptoms include:

Tingling

Burning

Numbness

Loss of coordination

Muscle loss
Alternative Keyboards*
*Some material adopted from: “NIOSH Suggests Considerations for Alternative Keyboard Use”
Introduction

The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) cautions
that a computer keyboard is only one element of the workplace that can
influence comfort and health

Therefore, all features of the work environment should be examined when evaluating ways
to enhance user comfort and avoid potential musculoskeletal problems

Alternative keyboards can help keep wrists
straight and help to avoid postures thought
to cause musculoskeletal problems
Keep in mind: It may take a few days to become
accustomed to an alternative keyboard and that some
people never completely adapt to them
Quick Tips

Broad-shouldered individuals may find that split keyboards allow improved
(neutral) wrist postures compared to conventional keyboards
Keep in mind:


Small individuals may find that greater width of ergonomic keyboards induces an
uncomfortable distance and/or approach to the mouse
Try to select a keyboard angle that promotes neutral (straight) wrist
posture

Tilting a
keyboard tray
with an
attached
mouse trap
may cause the
mouse to roll
off of the tray
At least one study has provided evidence that “negative slope” keyboards may help
alleviate keyboard discomfort and injury; although, to date there is no consensus on this
subject among ergonomists
Purchasing Suggestions

Determine if the keyboard is compatible with existing hardware and
software and whether it can accommodate other input devices such as
“mice” and trackballs
Details™ (a subsidiary of Steelcase, Inc.) is a govt.
contract product line available to ISU departments. Find
additional information at: http://www.scdetails.com/

Assess how the keyboard will fit with the workstation
Some ergonomic keyboards must be placed on surfaces that

are lower than those required for standard keyboards
to achieve proper working posture

If the workstation had a standard keyboard on a keyboard
tray, an “ergonomic” keyboard may not fit on the old tray
Pointing Devices
Introduction

Four main types:
Trackball
Touchpad
Mouse with “scroll” wheel
Second digit, Homo sapiens
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Quick Tips

It is important to place the device roughly adjacent to ( and roughly at the
same level as) the keyboard

Some people find that switching hands and/or devices helps control
repetitive stress injury symptoms

If you are experiencing upper extremity pain or discomfort while at the
computer, make a habit of moving your hands away from the mouse and/or
keyboard whenever possible

Examples include when thinking, reading from the monitor, or while waiting for files to
download

Stretching and/or massage may help alleviate symptoms
Low Back Pain
Snippets

About 85% of Americans experience back trouble by age 50

Back problems are the most frequent cause of activity limitations in
working-age adults

In the long run, surgery, chiropractic care, etc. , are considered no more
effective than no treatment in reducing low back pain
The Spinal Column

The human spinal column is the center of postural control

It is built to provide stability and at
the same time allow flexibility

These two seemingly incompatible
functions of support (inflexibility) and
movement (flexibility) are at opposite
ends of the spectrum of movement, which is one reason the spine is
so vulnerable to injury
Continued

7 cervical vertebrae (neck)

12 thoracic vertebrae (middle back)

5 lumbar vertebrae (low back)

Sacrum (fused vertebrae)

Coccyx (tailbone)
Did you know? Two main forces acting on the spine:
compressive (push discs together), and tensile (pull
ligaments, tendons, and muscles).Typically these
forces occur simultaneously, for example, when
lifting objects, or “slouching”.
The Spine – Disc Nutrition

Located between the vertebrae in our backs are discs which act as the
shock absorbers for the spine

We feed our discs by moving fluids into and out of them through
mechanical compression and decompression

One more reason to move about while at work
Acute Injury Risk Factors

Acute (traumatic) back injury may occur due to:





Slips, trips, falls
Auto accidents
Sedentary lifestyle (with occasional lifting)
Heavy and/or awkward loads
Improper lifting technique
Chronic Injury Risk Factors

Chronic back injury may result from:



Poor posture and/or improper lifting technique combined with
repetitive lifting
Genetics
Overall physical fitness
Risk Reduction – Chronic Injury

Maintaining a neutral spinal posture is important when seated as well as
during lifting tasks

If sitting without back support:


Rotate the hips forward until a neutral position is achieved
If using the backrest:

Sit back in the chair to allow the backrest to help maintain a
neutral posture and reduce muscle loading
Risk Reduction – Engineering/Design

You can design a safer lifting environment by:

Avoiding very high and very low object placement

Reducing object weight and size

Providing handles

Eliminating the need for twisting motions

Eliminating bending and stooped postures

Providing mechanical assistance
Risk Reduction – Lifting Tips

When lifting, you can substantially reduce your risk of low back injury and
pain by:

Keeping the object close to you

Bending your knees

Maintaining your lumbar curve (bend knees and stick buttocks out)

Not twisting or bending sideways

Avoiding rapid, jerky movements

Asking for assistance with heavy and/or bulky loads
Risk Reduction – At Home

Be sure to maintain neutral spinal posture when stooped


For example, when shaving, brushing teeth, bathing children, repairing cars, shoveling,
etc.
Planning lifts and getting assistance or mechanical help whenever possible is
also a good risk reduction strategy
Note: Avoid stooping
when gardening or doing
other yard/maintenance
activities
When to Seek Help

For common back strain, give home remedies a try for 72 hours

In rare cases, back pain can indicate a serious
problem-seek medical attention if:

You have weakness or numbness in either leg

You have a fever along with back pain

You notice new bladder or bowel control problems

Your pain increases with lying down

You have a history of significant chronic disease, such as
osteoporosis, cancer, or diabetes
Medical Intervention Snippets

Less than 5% of back pain is caused by serious disease (e.g. , cancer or
infection) or anatomical problems that require surgery

Surgery is almost always elective, possibly
providing faster relief of symptoms but
may have little effect on long term
outcomes

Non-specific pain could originate with
the muscles, ligaments, facet joints, or
discs and it is generally impossible to be
certain of the exact cause
Note: More often than not, simply
applying an ice pack or heat pad to
the painful area and resting will
“cure” back pain
Continued

In a small fraction of cases, the pain will
move down the leg into the foot,
usually as a result of a disc herniation


Only about 25 of persons with
back pain undergo surgery
Most herniated disc symptoms abate without
surgery and have been found surprisingly
common even in non-symptomatic adults
Stretching & Exercise
Stretching and exercise are often
recommended for back pain, however,
some of these activities may
aggravate some conditions


Some discomfort is considered acceptable during the activity, but should
not persist when the activity is discontinued
Back Belts


The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health has concluded
that:

There is insufficient data to support back belt endorsement

There is a potential for cardiovascular problems

Back belts are not considered personal protective equipment
To issue a back belt, ISU requires:

Job analysis

Medical recommendation

Fitting

Employee training
Resources



Mayo Clinic

http://www.mayohealth.org/

Click on “search” and type “back pain”
Check out these websites or
contact EH&S to get more
information!
Herman-Miller

http://www.hermanmiller.com/research/

Click on “ergonomics” and look for information on seating and back pain
NIOSH

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/homepage.html

Click “topic index” then chose “ergonomics” or use the “search” function and type “back
pain”
Features to Consider when
Purchasing a Chair
Introduction

Perhaps you find your chair is not particularly comfortable and seems to
become less so each time you plop down upon it

This guide is designed to help you identify chair features that will make
your seated work more comfortable and productive
Adjustment Options

There are numerous seat adjustment options including:

Seat height

Backrest height

Armrest height

Armrest width

Backrest tilt

Variable backrest stop

Backrest tension

Seat pan depth

Foot ring height
Quick Tips

Seat height in most chairs is adjustable; if you are larger or smaller than
average, the height range of an “average” chair might not be adequate-check
with the manufacturer to make sure the chair you select is available in your
size and is easily adjustable

Be sure to select a chair that offers
backrest height adjustment, maintaining
a “neutral” lumbar (lower back) curve
and having that extra support is important

Some chairs have a seat pan tilt option

By lowering the front of the seat pan, the lumbar spine assumes a posture closer to the
neutral standing posture which reduces pressure on the lumbar spine
Continued

If possible, select a chair that will have an upright locking mechanism, a
reclining backrest, and backrest tension adjustment


When writing or typing, many workers prefer to sit upright; however, then speaking to coworkers, reclining is recommended as it reduces pressure on the lower back
Try to find a seat pan that is fitted to your body

A seat pan that is too short results in increased pressure on the buttocks and thighs

A seat pan that is too deep can restrict circulation at the knee and makes it difficult to
attain proper lumbar support

Generally, a sliding seat pan will provide comfortable seating for a wide range of individuals
Five-star chair bases are safer than four-star bases - especially if
you like to lean back in your chair.
Fortunately, chair manufacturers have recognized this fact and
four-star bases are now pretty much a thing of the past.
Just A Thought

Chairs set on linoleum tile or cement flooring should have soft rubber
casters


To keep you from zooming around too fast
Chairs in carpeted areas should have hard plastic casters

To keep you from getting bogged down
Zooming around
Linoleum flooring
Small Budget?

If your seat pan is too deep, try purchasing a seat back cushion

If your armrests are too short, consider attaching foam to the top of them

Many small changes can make a big difference
Be sure you know your chair
adjustments-and use them!
Computer Workstation
Ergonomics Checklist
Introduction

This checklist is designed to guide you through an ergonomic assessment
of your computer workstation

If you answer “NO” to an item, it may indicate a need for workstation
modification

If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or need further information
please contact EH&S at (515).294.5359
Chair Adjustment

Primary considerations:

Is your chair height adjustable?

Does your chair support your lower back?

Is there room between the front edge of
the chair seat and the back of your knees?

Can you easily reach your work without
interference from the arms of your chair?

When using the keyboard or mouse, are
you able to keep your arms in a comfortable position with elbows at your sides?

Do your feel rest flat on the floor or footrest?

When you sit upright in your chair, are your thighs approximately parallel to the floor?

Does your chair have an upright locking feature?
Other Considerations

Adopting two or more seated postures will allow various muscle groups
time to relax and recover

If your chair backrest is adjustable,
raise or lower it so that the contour
of the chair provides maximum lower
back support

If your chair has armrests, they
should allow you to get close to your work

If you’re typing, they should be at a height where they barely contact your elbows when
your arms are resting comfortably at your side

Chair armrests should not force you to elevate your shoulders or wing your arms to the
side
The Ergonomist’s Opinion

Sitting with several “bad” postures for shorter
periods of time may be better (or at least no
worse) than using one “good” posture over
long periods of time

Individuals are encouraged to use 3 or more
seated postures throughout the workday to allow various muscle
groups time to relax and recuperate. Recommended postures include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
“perched” on the edge of the chair – with pelvic tilt to maintain good low back
curvature
Upright with seat back locked and the gluteus maximus all the way to the back of
the seat
Reclined
Other postures you feel comfortable with
Keyboard Adjustment

Primary considerations:

With your chair adjusted properly, are your keyboard and mouse approximately at elbow
height?

Are your arms in near your trunk rather than stretched out in from of you?

Is there at least an inch of clearance between the bottom of your work surface and the
top of your thighs?
Elbow height
Arms in near trunk
1 inch of clearance
(at least)
Other Considerations

If your keying surface is too high (or too low) and cannot be changed, installing
an adjustable keyboard tray may be a solution

If your keying surface is too high and a
keyboard tray is not feasible, raise the chair
and support your feet with a footrest if
necessary

Another approach is to elevate the back
edge of the keyboard until your hands and
forearms for a straight or somewhat straight line when fingers are on the keys

If your keying surface is too low and cannot be adjusted, try elevating the
leading edge of the keyboard until your hands and forearms form a straight or
somewhat straight line when fingers are on the keys
The Ergonomist’s Opinion


Your forearms do not need to be exactly
parallel to the floor while at the keyboard
If your hands are more than one or two inches higher or lower
than your elbows, changing your workstation configuration may
reduce your risk of cumulative trauma disorder
Did you know? Resting hands on a wrist rest or
in your lap when not actively keying is
recommended; however, using a wrist rest that
induces poor (bent) wrist posture may induce
injury

Footrests are best left as an option of last resort

Their use will tend to constrain the worker when it is actually postural fluidity we are
seeking

Many workers have two or three seating locations within
the workstation - meaning two or three footrests may be
optimal for a given employee
Work Surface

Primary considerations:

Does your writing surface have a rounded leading edge?

When seated upright, is the work surface height approximately midway between your
navel (belly button) and the bottom of your sternum (breastbone)?
Naval height
Other Considerations

Many of the work surfaces (desks) on the
ISU campus are Steelcase 9000 series

These surfaces have four height options:
29.75”, 28.75”, 27.25” and 26.25”

What’s average?

Many men of average stature will find the 29.75”
height acceptable

Women of average stature will likely be most
comfortable reading and writing at 28.75” or 27.25”
Note: Some smaller
persons prefer a work
surface height of 26.25”,
this may require switching
to smaller hanging file
pedestals (drawers)
The Ergonomist’s Opinion

It’s best to key (whether at a keyboard or with a calculator) and write at
separate heights

If separate surfaces are not practical (forcing you to key and write at one
height), selecting an intermediate height may be acceptable in some cases
Write here
Key here
Monitor Adjustments

Primary considerations:






Is your monitor more-or-less in front of your keyboard rather than off to the side?
Is the viewing distance to your computer
monitor at least 18 inches?
Is the top of the computer screen below
eye level?
Is your computer monitor protected from
excess glare?
Is your monitor screen more-or-less
perpendicular to your normal line-of-sight?
If you wear bifocals or trifocals, are you
able to look at the monitor without tilting
your head backwards?
Other Considerations
If you feel as though your monitor is too
close but you cannot “get away” from it, install
a keyboard tray and/or pull the desk out from
the wall - letting the monitor “hang” over
the back of the work surface

Note: Check out the e-book on eyestrain
for some helpful suggestions and more
information about monitor placement and
screen related eyestrain prevention
The Ergonomist’s Opinion

Keeping the monitor on the work surface (as opposed to resting on a
computer CPU) is recommended unless the new placement/angle creates
unwanted screen glare
 E.g., from overhead lighting

Be sure to readjust the monitor tilt after adjusting the monitor height
Workstation Accessories

Primary considerations:

Are your primary work materials located in front of you?

Are your most frequently accessed items (phone, manuals, etc.) easy to reach?

Do you have a document or copy holder to hold reference materials?

If a large percentage of your time involves using a phone, do you use a phone headset?
Other Considerations

As you change tasks, remember to move primary materials in front of you

When reading or writing on the desk, inclining the material by placing it on
a 3-ring binder or other material will improve neck and back posture
Three-ring binder!
The Ergonomist’s Opinion

It’s okay to place items where they are
most comfortable to reach - rather
than where they look “best”
Remember! Be sure to
have a “method to the
madness” and know
where everything is!
In some cases, a slant board may be a better option than a copyholder asthe
latter allows inclined viewing of large, heavy materials such as books and ring
binders

Work Habits

Primary considerations:

Do you move your hands away from the keyboard and/or mouse as work allows (e.g.,
when waiting for files to download, reading text, or thinking about what to write)?

When at the computer, do you take short, frequent breaks (up to a minute every 10-15
minutes) vs. less frequent breaks?

Do you avoid end-of-year or end-of-cycle “crunches” by starting work sooner, getting
assistance, or via other means?
Other Considerations

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort at work and anticipate an
increase in workload, be sure to speak to your supervisor about your
concerns and have your workstation evaluated promptly

Often it’s helpful to ask an outsider to perform an ergonomic evaluation
because they do not share your assumptions about work routines and
environments
EH&S will gladly perform ergonomic evaluations!
Contact us at (515).294.5359 or
Environmental Health and Safety, Iowa State University
Remember! Get your
workspace evaluated before you
get to this stage
The Ergonomist’s Opinion

If you are assessing your workplace for ergonomic risk factors and
solutions, it’s a good idea to pretend that anything is possible and that
money is no object

Once potential solutions are identified, assumptions about work routines,
budgets, etc., can be discussed
Discuss money and
options with your team
and supervisors before
taking action
Stretching at Work
Reasons to Stretch at Work

Reduce muscle tension and stress

Increase alertness and productivity

Improve circulation

It makes you feel better!
Things To Do When Stretching

Be excited! You’ll
get more energy
out of your
stretch!


Make slow movements
Hold the stretch for at least 5
seconds (10 is recommended)
Experiment with slight variations in posture and
movement to improve stretch effectiveness

Stretch frequently, especially when sitting
or in other constrained environments
Things To Avoid When Stretching

Rapid Movement

Holding your breath

Bouncing

Pain
Note: Stretching may
aggravate certain medical
conditions (e.g., herniated
disc)-be sure to talk to a
medical professional prior to
starting your stretching
program
The Finger Stretch

Start with your fingers relaxed

Curl and tense fingers

Stretch fingers out and apart

Repeat cycle
The Wrist Rotation

Clasp your hands together

Rotate your right hand over your left hand

Rotate your left hand over your right hand

Repeat cycle
Be sure to rotate both
directions for a complete
stretch!
The “Handshake”

Stand upright

Hold your hands at your sides and relax your shoulders/arms

Shake your hands lightly but rapidly
The Wrist Flex

Start from a typical seated posture

Extend both arms with palms facing the wall ahead
of you

Place your left hand on your right hand fingers and
pull towards the wall behind you

Repeat on each hand
The Overhead Stretch

Start from a typical seated posture

Clasp your fingers together

Move your hands upward, towards the ceiling, while rotating your palms
outwards
The Neck/Shoulder Stretch

Start with your shoulders in a neutral position

Relax your arms and shoulders

Tense the muscles in your lower neck and shoulders, “raising your
shoulders to your ears”

Hold for 5-10 seconds and relax to original position
The Shoulder Stretch

Start with your shoulders relaxed

Raise your left arm and place your right hand on your left elbow

Use your right hand to pull your left elbow toward your right shoulder

Repeat cycle on each arm
The (other) Shoulder Stretch

Start with your shoulders relaxed

Raise your right arm and reach with
your right hand for your left shoulder
blade

Use your left hand to press on your
right elbow toward your left shoulder

Repeat cycle on each arm
The Upper-Back Stretch

Face an open doorway with your toes 1-2 feet from the opening

Place your hands on either side of the door frame at about shoulder height

Slowly lean forward, into the open doorway, keeping your hands on either
side of the opening
The “Executive”

Start in a typical seated, working position

Clasp your fingers behind your head, resting your hands on the back of
your head

Lean back and press your elbows backwards, lifting the shoulders and chest
slightly

Repeat as desired
The Neck Roll

Sit or stand in an upright position

Slowly tilt neck to one side

Slowly tilt neck to the other side

Tilt head forward, and then back
The Calf Stretch

Take a staggered stance with your left foot about 1 foot away from a wall
and your left foot about 3 feet from the same wall

Place your hands on the wall or chair at about shoulder height

Bend your right knee and lean forward into the wall keeping your left foot
flat

Repeat on each leg
The Hamstring Stretch




Grab hold of a chair, desk, or other object for balance
Stand with your feet about 3-4 feet apart with your toes turned slightly
outward
Bend at your hips toward your right leg, reaching for your calf
Repeat on left leg
Feel the stretch!
The “Flamingo” Stretch

Grab hold of a chair, desk, or other object for balance

Raise your left leg, grabbing your left ankle
with your left hand

Gently and slowly, press your left (bent) knee
towards the “back” of the room while slightly
pulling your left ankle towards the “front” of
the room

Repeat on each leg
Remember!

EH&S staff are available to perform ergonomic evaluations for ISU
personnel

Call (515).294.5359 for details OR find us on Facebook
Environmental Health and Safety, Iowa State University
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